MovieChat Forums > Centennial (1978) Discussion > Mind playing tricks?

Mind playing tricks?

posted 16 years ago by steverr63
10 replies | jump to latest

When I first saw this series back in '78, I seem to recall Donald Pleasance's character being killed by Indians in an attack on a wagon train.

However, when I watched this whole series on VHS a few years ago (bought off Amazon - not cheap) there was no such scene, and Pleasance's character simply rode off one day, never to be seen again (I think the wagon train split up, with the main characters heading off in the opposite direction to Pleasance).

So my question is: Was there such a wagon train attack scene with Pleasance's character killed but it was cut from the American VHS release, or is my memory playing tricks and / or I'm getting mixed up with some other movie?

Any info appreciated, as this bugs me every time I read / hear about Centennial.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sstovall-1 16 years ago

Maybe you were remembering the scene where Levi attacked and ALMOST killed him for the attempted rape of Ellie.

"I'd resent that if I were sober."
Lt. Col Henry Blake

[–] LMB-3 16 years ago

Sam Purchas wasn't killed in the series, he just rode off.

[–] blairk 16 years ago

He was killed, but it was only mentioned by Secombe to Levi and Lucinda in front of the new store when he was telling them about the ranch idea.

[–] ladygodolphin 15 years ago

Ok, I have a question. I remember Seacombe riding off with the wagon train, but when did he meet Lucinda? Because when he showed up at the trading post, or rather the new store, Lucinda rushed up to him and recognized him, but I don't remember her ever meeting him before. Levi was with Ellie and it was right after she was almost raped that Seacombe split from them. Did I miss something?

[–] lorelei1-1 15 years ago

I thought that was weird, too, when she rushed up to him. I can't remember her meeting with him either...I think it must be some screw up in the script or else a scene or two ended up on the cutting room floor. I don't think it's a case of the film being cut up when they put it on DVD.

Lorelei

"I don't take this sh*t from friends--only lovers."

[–] blairk 15 years ago

She was at the fort when Levi originally met McKeag. I don't remember if the movie showed them meeting but i'm pretty sure they did in the book.

[–] lld3497 9 years ago

Lucinda said she had danced with Oliver in ST Louis when she lived there going to school.

Slainte 🇮🇪 I am who I am your approval isnt needed or required.

[–] crood 7 years ago

No, she said she danced with him at Fort John where Levi met McKeag. I don't remember if a dance was in the book either, but it could certainly be a deleted scene. It could even tie in with the later conversation between Clay Basket and McKeag about Lucinda eventually going off with one of the travellers passing through the trading post. You could see a young lady becoming infatuated with the young Seacombe.

What I was always annoyed with was the idea that he just rides up and they recognize him on the spot. Maybe, Levi would since they did travel together for months, but Lucinda? Seems unlikely she'd remember one traveller she'd encountered 15 years earlier.

[–] KmgThreesixfive 10 years ago

In the book Seccombe tells that Purchas got him to Oregon and was later hanged for stealing horses.